Sikkim is a land of opportunities and that the people should make the best use of it and the prizes are given to encourage the women farming community and to spread the examples across the state, said the Chief Minister
NAMCHI, April 22: A short programme of prize distribution on the cultivation of Butter Beans by the Women’s Floriculture Society of Ghurpisey, Namchi, South Sikkim, was held here on 20 April, at the residence of the Chief Minister.
Around 30 farmers had sown 2 kg each of Butter Beans last year that is 2006, for which the seeds were provided by Tika Maya Chamling. The panel of judges for the selection was headed by the Joint Director, Horticulture and they visited each and every field on 17 November, 2006 and after thorough inspection and verification the winners were declared.
The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was the chief guest of the day’s programme and gave away the prizes to the 10 winners, the first prize was Rs 15,000, second prize was Rs 10,000 and third prize was Rs 5000 and the others were consolation prizes.
The programme was also attended by Tika Maya Chamling, Chairman SIMFED, former MLA of Jorethang, Zilla Adhakshaya, Upa-Adakshaya, Deputy Director Horticulture, Horticulture Inspector, Panchayats and around 300 people attended the function.
The gathering was welcomed by S Theengh, Vice President of Women’s Society, while MK Pradhan, Deputy Director, Horticulture briefed about the programme. The Joint Director, Horticulture (South) GP Chauhan highlighted on the special programme of Horticulture for the farmers and on various awareness and skill development programmes being conducted for the economic upliftment, he added that the department would continue to join hands and also mentioned as to why the demands of the farmers could not be fulfilled.
The chief guest in his address said that the main aim of the government was to provide opportunity to the people of Sikkim in various sections through various ways and that alongwith it the peace and security of all kinds has also been achieved. He further mentioned that Sikkim is a land of opportunities and that the people should make the best use of it, regarding the day’s programme he said that the prizes are given to encourage the women farming community and to spread the examples across the state, and cited many examples concerned with the social development.
He advised the farmers to grow beans keeping in mind the commercial aspects and to regard it as a cash crop, since it has a great potential in Sikkim as it is given only here and not in the plains. Moreover about 50% of the state’s populace purchase vegetables from outside, so the farmers of Sikkim can grab the opportunity and grow more vegetables to meet the internal demand and get the profit in turn, while he also encouraged the farmers to go for other farming’s as well and advised them to work hard and well the product of Sikkim worldwide.
He added that Sikkim has been successful in building its image in many aspects, including the one in floriculture. Speaking on capacity building training programmes, he added that it has been started all over the state in all disciplines and that 2% fund has been allocated for the same.
Talking on the great potential in the field of agriculture / horticulture business, he said that it is the number one industry in the world, and keeping in mind the scarcity of the land, people today should go for low volume high value crops and the advanced and commercial cultivation of cash crops should be adopted in order to generate more income. He also emphasised on the seed production of horticulture / agricultural crops. He concluded by suggesting the farmers to wake up and work hard.
The programme
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